The Lost Priest
Chapter 8
A Second Chance
(A/N: I'm glad some of you like the idea of adding in Gunslinger. I was thinking about who should I add in, but Esther would have been little too much to start off with. Then I thought about Leon or Hugue, but I finally decided on Tres. I got twenty one reviews for the last chapter so I decided to update earlier than usual. So, let's see what happens now.)
SOUNDS/sounds
Thoughts
Telepathy
(Last Time)
Abel was at a loss for words, mainly because it wasn't his gun that had fired. He was pretty sure that: one, he didn't pull the trigger, and two, the shot came from behind the vampire. He looked down to the other end of the alley to see a shadowy figure standing at the other end, holding two semiautomatic handguns out in front.
He couldn't make out who this person was, although he was pretty sure it was a man at the other end. Abel tried to focus his eyes a little, but there wasn't enough light for him to see clearly in this form. The other man put his guns away and started walking towards a shocked Abel and the panicked woman.
As he got closer, the woman, took off, afraid for her life. She knocked Abel into a wall as she ran by screaming. Abel looked up from his position on the pavement as man walked closer to him. He could finally begin making out the features of this man. His eyes widened in shock as the man stopped and looked down at him.
"Father Nightroad." The other's voice was monotonous. "Requesting damage report."
(Present Time)
"Tres! Oh my God, Tres! I don't believe it," Abel quickly scrambled to his feet and shook the android's hand wildly. "How long have you been here?"
"Approximately nine days, fourteen hours, and thirty five minutes," Tres said, looking at Abel.
That's how long I've been here too, so then, that means… "Tres can you recall anything prior to arriving here," Abel asked, hoping that Tres, at least, would know the answer to that.
"Negative," He answered as the Crusnik hung his head low. "Search of database reveals that my files have been corrupted. Possible information leakage may occur."
"Corrupted," Abel blinked, scratching his head. "Oh well, that's not good. What about when you first arrived here?"
"My auto-repair program was activated for 59 percent damage sustained by unknown elements," he stated flatly.
"I see. Well, it seems that we're in the same boat, my friend," Abel sighed, patting Tres on the shoulder. "I'm just glad to see a familiar face. By the way, you wouldn't happen to be staying somewhere, would you?"
"Negative," the android responded.
"I knew it was hoping for too much," Abel moaned, a shiver sliding down his spine. I'm freezing out here! I swear, it's getting colder by the minute.
"Have you not acquired a place for yourself, Father Nightroad?" Tres asked.
"No," Abel moaned. "What's the temperature out here?"
"It is 0 degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit, 273.15 Kelvin)," Tres said.
"I knew I was freezing," Abel chuckled to himself, looking up to see Tres' blank stare. "Get it? It's at the freezing mark, so… You don't understand, do you?"
"Negative."
"Why doesn't that surprise me?"
Morning finally came to London; sometime during the night, Abel had finally fallen asleep. More importantly, he was leaning against Tres as he slept. The situation was like that of a cat sleeping inside a car engine for warmth; Tres was the warm car engine and Abel was the cold cat. There were perks to having an android for a friend.
"Father Nightroad," Tres deadpanned. "It is now 09:00."
"What are you, my alarm clock?" Abel mumbled, looking sleepily at Gunslinger. "Just give me a couple more hours."
"Negative. You have already slept over the AX regulation resting hours by four hours."
"Stick in the mud," Abel moaned, sitting up.
"Search reveals no definition for this term," Tres said as Abel moaned, stretching out his sore legs.
"Oh, man, I hurt. I was only asleep for five hours," Abel sighed, stretching out all of his stiff joints. "I can't believe I didn't fall asleep until almost four in the morning."
"What is your mode of operation today, Father Nightroad?" Tres asked as Abel popped his neck to get a crick out.
"You're asking me now? I just woke up," Abel grumbled, looking at Tres' blank face. "I'll look for a job, I suppose."
"You are not to take on jobs outside of the AX. You have taken a vow of poverty," Tres added as Abel just glared at him.
"Tres, the AX hasn't even been established yet. It's got about another thousand years to go," the Crusnik stood up as his knees gave a loud cracking sound. "OW! I hate sleeping out in the cold like this."
"I fail to understand."
"If I told you, your programming would go haywire trying to figure out how it was possible. Even I don't understand what happened."
"That is still not an acceptable answer."
"Tres, just… forget about it."
The day wore on for what seemed like forever; both AX members could not acquire a job. Abel thought about getting a security job but Tres was programmed not for security, but for battle. He could just see some poor lost soul coming to ask for help and getting shot at.
Abel had to work an ice cream vendor's just to get something in his stomach. All he managed to get was a small cone with one scoop of chocolate ice cream. But beggars can't be choosers, as they say, and poor Abel was a beggar.
The highlight of the day was when he had to get Tres out of the armor and AX uniform that morning. For obvious reasons, Abel felt like a little girl dressing a doll. Well, Tres was one of the ten "Killing Dolls", so perhaps he was dressing a doll. Tres could pretty much do it himself, thank goodness, and he required very little assistance. However, Abel stood a good head taller than the android, and the clothes just swallowed poor Tres whole.
"What are you laughing at?" Tres asked him.
"Nothing, Tres," Abel snickered, putting a hand over his mouth. I wish Caterina and Esther could see this! They'd die laughing! Hell, even Alucard, Seras, and Integra might get a kick out of this! Oh, great. Now I can't stop laughing!
"These clothes are not of efficient size," Tres deadpanned, pulling the pants legs up off the ground. "They are hazardous and should not be worn."
This only served to make Abel laugh harder. He was trying not to laugh at the android's total oblivion to the situation. After all, he was not programmed with any emotions and had very little understanding of human thought processes, such as when Tres hadn't understood why it was important to gain Elise's confidence. He had told Abel flat out that he didn't understand how gaining her confidence would get the information out of her.
Well, it was night now, and yet again the temperature dropped below freezing. But at least the two of them had found a small warehouse near a shipping yard to stay in. It wasn't the warmest place, but it was better than being out in the freezing wind.
AAAH-CHOOOO! Sniff! "Oh, dear," Abel sneezed, pulling a handkerchief from his pocket and wiping his nose. "I knew staying out in the cold would catch up with me sooner or later."
"Crusnik, what are your plans if we can not obtain a job in the near future?" Tres asked, sitting down across from Abel.
"I don't know," he replied with a weak smile. "Let's give it a couple more days and see what turns up."
"And if we can not obtain a job?"
"You're not really helping my mood. I feel bad enough right now as is."
Abel sighed, pulling his legs to chest and resting his chin on his knees. But Tres was right as usual. Android logic was usually very logical; they have computers for brains, after all. Abel kept mulling over the problem. He was very computer knowledgeable, after all. Computer jobs were usually high-paying jobs and Abel knew computers. But what would Tres be good at?
"Hey, Tres, what are you programmed for—other than battle?" Abel asked, looking at the android.
"Infiltration, investigation, security, bodyguard, surveillance—"
"What about technology—like computers?"
"Other than the basics, I am not specialized in lost technology."
"Such as…?"
"Code breaking, hacking, virus construction—"
"Okay, okay; I get the point." Abel groaned, closing his eyes. God, this is not looking so good. I might as well as just walk up to Sir Integra have her shoot me at the rate I'm going at.
BAAAANG!
"WAAAAAAAAAAAH," Abel screamed, covering his head, and looked at Tres, who was holding a smoking pistol aimed towards Abel. "TRES, YOU CRAZY ROBOT, YOU COULD HAVE KILLED ME!"
"Negative. I was not aiming for you." Tres said, getting up. "There was a hostile element 4.6 feet from you to your left."
"What…" Abel blinked and turned around to see a ghoul's remnants. "HOLY! Tres, there'll be more them! Be prepared!"
"Positive. Search mode activated," Tres said, pulling out both of his guns; Abel scrambled to his feet, pulling out his own gun. "Requesting orders, Crusnik."
"This is different. Usually Caterina gives you the orders but since she's not here I guess have to. Well, the orders are to—"
"Search and destroy."
Abel turned around with a knot in his throat, finding Integra right behind him, glaring at him. He stumbled backwards, tripping over his own feet and dropping his gun on the smooth cement floor. The gun went off and a raspy scream was heard, followed by a heavy thump. Abel began to freak, thinking the bullet had killed one of the Hellsing operatives, as did Integra, but to their surprise and relief, it was another ghoul.
"Wow, that was lucky," Abel laughed nervously, looking up at Integra. "It's like a magic bullet. Hehehe… L-listen, Sir Hellsing, I—"
Abel paused as Integra bent down, picking his gun up and pointing the barrel at him as he heard Tres' guns cock behind him. She, however, didn't seem to notice as she wrapped her finger around the trigger; Tres did the same. However, she swiftly flipped the gun around her finger, presenting him the handle.
"Are you still willing to work with us, Father Nightroad?" she asked as Abel looked up at her, hesitant to take back his pistol. "I'll forgive the incident the other day, but I will not forget it. So don't go thinking that everything is settled between us. You have to prove your worth tonight. Am I clear on that, Abel?"
"Yes," Abel said in a squeaky voice before he cleared the knot from his throat. "Yes, Sir Hellsing. I'll try my best!"
"Don't try. Do your best," she smirked as Abel took his gun from her hands. "You have your orders, now follow them. Search and destroy."
"Yes, sir," Abel stood up and saluted her. "Tres, come with me!"
"Positive," the android said, following Abel.
"Would it kill you say 'yes' once and while?"
"Yes."
"Wha… Hold on! Was that a sarcastic remark?" Abel had to take a moment to fully register what had just happened.
"Negative," Gunslinger deadpanned, moving on ahead of a stupefied Abel.
"Hey, now, wait for me," Abel said, running after him.
"I don't even want to know," Integra muttered to herself, turning on her heel and walking the other way.
Seras took aim at a large mass of ghouls coming her way; she had her cannon armed and ready. She licked her lips as they moved in closer, drew a breath in, and fired off the large weapon, nailing a large number down about the middle, but a bunch still remained, and more filled the hole she had just made.
"Christ, they just keep coming," she growled, loading her weapon again. "This is getting monotonous, I swear."
Seras took aim again, putting her finger on the trigger, but something caught the corner of her eye. She looked to her left to see two ghouls coming at her; they were almost on top of her. She was about to swing her cannon around when two shots were fired from behind them and they went down instantly, just missing landing on her.
"Who's there?" she asked as she saw two laser pointers move out of the darkness along the floor. "Who's there?"
A man with an emotionless face and an icy glare stepped out of the shadows. His short, hair was reddish brown and a little messy. His clothes were a too big for him, and they looked rather familiar. He stopped about six feet from her, staring down at her before turning to face the oncoming ghouls.
"Initiating resident tactical program," his voice was deep and just as dead as his emotions he raised his guns. "Initiating genocide mode; engage combat."
Seras stared as this mystery man fired off his guns with perfect aim and speed. She shook her head slightly and turned back to the ghouls. She fired her cannon down the middle again, taking out ghouls at it blasted by. Her odd companion was doing a damn good job, only pausing for a brief second to reload, which was odd it in itself. She couldn't figure out how he was doing it.
The ghouls' numbers began to drop, and then finally they were gone. Seras sighed, looking down at her cannon's smoking barrel before looking up at the man again. He was already looking back at her with that icy stare.
"Uh, who are you?" she asked, getting up off the floor.
"I am Father Tres Iqus, deputy enforcer," he said in a dead voice. "Identify yourself."
"Seras Victoria," she replied, a little unnerved after hearing the fact that he was a priest. "Are you with the Iscariot, Father?"
"Negative," he replied as running footsteps were heard from behind.
"Tres, I told you not to—Oh, hi, Seras," Abel said, coming to a stop behind Tres. "I see you two have met each other. Tres, you didn't fire at her, did you?"
"Negative."
"Abel, what are doing here?" she asked, walking to him with a smile before smacking him on the face. "How dare you show you face around here after what you did to me! I thought you would have been long gone by now!"
"That's going to take some time that we don't have to explain, and I know I deserved that," he said, looking down at Seras, rubbing his cheek. "Is your master here?"
"No, he's still on suspension," Seras huffed, turning her back on him. "The FREAK vampire is still somewhere in the vicinity. His destruction hasn't been reported yet."
"Well, then let's not dally," Abel smiled. "After you, Seras. You know the situation better than we do."
"Right, follow me then," she snorted, picking her large cannon up off the floor effortlessly. "By the way, Abel, is Father Tres wearing your clothes?"
"Yes, well, his stuck out like a sore thumb," Abel laughed slightly, following Seras. Tres was right beside him. "With all that armor—oops!"
"Armor," she blinked. "Father Tres, why were you wearing armor?"
"It's nothing really, Seras," Abel butted in before Tres could answer.
"You're acting funny," she said, raising an eyebrow.
"Now, why would you suggest such a thing," he asked innocently, following her down a corridor.
"It's like you're hiding something all of a sudden. More than you were before, anyways," she sighed. "By the way, Father Tres, where did you come from? Abel never mentioned you before."
"Rome, the Vatican," he replied. "Special duty—"
"Tres, that's enough now!" Why don't you just tell her were from 1000 years in future next time? 'Possible leakage' I'll say! Abel said sharply, covering Tres' mouth as Seras glared at him. "What?"
"Now I know you're hiding something," Seras snapped, crossing her arms. "Out with it, Abel, or I'll keep asking Tres since he can't seem to keep secrets very well."
"Perhaps at a later date, hmm," he smiled sweetly but Seras just glared at him. "Listen, Seras, we really need to get the vampire. We can talk about everything later. Now, please, after you."
Seras turned back around and led them outside. A blast of cold air hit them and Abel let out another sneeze. The back door only led to more stocked warehouses, all dark and foreboding at night.
"Seras, do you have any idea where this vampire might be?" Abel asked in a hushed voice as they moved behind crates and cargo nets. "I mean, it would be good to have an idea of where to look."
"My Master always finds them in minutes," she said, listening for any noise out of place as Tres stopped few feet behind them. "However, I'm not really that good."
"Crusnik, above you," Tres stated as Abel and Seras looked up to see a cargo-laden net fall from a crane.
"SERAS!" Abel grabbed her hand and threw her out of the way as the large wooden crates crashed down on where he was standing.
"ABEL! ABEL, NO!" Seras yelled from her place on the ground. "ABELLLL!"
(A/N: Aren't I just the meanest person in the world? I know you people just love my cliff hangers. Alright, I really know you don't like them, but they do keep you wanting to know what's going to happen next. So, get reviewing please.)
Millie M. Banshee
Beta: 2stupid
(BN: You had better review. I hope I didn't beta this for nothing, you know. That would be very troublesome.)